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By what percentage does pregnancy increase a woman's blood volume?

  1. 20%

  2. 30%

  3. 40%

  4. 50%

The correct answer is: 40%

Pregnancy is a time of significant physiological change, and one of the most notable changes involves an increase in a woman's blood volume. During pregnancy, a woman's blood volume can increase by approximately 40%. This increase is vital as it supports the growing fetus and prepares the mother's body for the demands of childbirth. The higher blood volume helps to ensure that there is sufficient blood flow to the placenta, which is essential for nutrient and oxygen delivery to the developing baby. The increase in blood volume is primarily due to an increase in plasma, which makes up a large component of blood. There is also a relative increase in red blood cell mass, but it does not increase at the same rate as plasma volume. This condition can lead to a dilutional effect, commonly referred to as physiologic anemia of pregnancy, where the concentration of hemoglobin may decrease even though the total red blood cell mass is higher. While the other options reflect increases less than the actual physiological change, 40% is the most accurate estimation of how much blood volume increases during pregnancy, making it the correct answer. Understanding this enhanced blood volume is critical for paramedics as it prepares them for potential complications that may arise during pregnancy and childbirth.